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Travel Trends
February
2002
By Tracie McFie
My husband and I are bed-and-breakfast people. You name a place and there is a great possibility we have stayed there and tasted the delights of the local establishments. We're also very choosey. Now that we are in a position where we have the money to splurge (okay, so now that the kids are here, it's not as often as we'd like), so we want value-for-money and surrounds that truly make us forget nappies, wipes and toilet training.
We stumbled onto Treetops Cabins on the Lake quite by accident. Staying at another B&B in Montville on our wedding anniversary (we were married in Montville), an afternoon walk took us down to a lake and a world that blended so perfectly with the environment that you had to look carefully to make out the shadows of the cabins.
Owners George and Aldy showed us through and we booked two nights on the spot. It's a place you have to see to believe - a huge nework of treehouses interspersed with wooden platforms, walkways, a rainforest canopy and a backdrop of the sun setting over Lake Baroon.
Each treehouse is meticulously appointed. Built by George and lovingly decorated by Aldy, the cabins (a definate understatement) are romance personified. Beautifully carved furniture, delicate forged ironwork, handmade pottery, leadlight windows and other finishing touches handcrafted by local artists - all blend perfectly with the mod-cons of the fully self-contained kitchen, video, TV, CD player, BBQ and deep, comfy lounge seats.
But, the first thing to catch my eye was the gigantic spa set right into the middle of each treehouse. What a way to indulge - beautiful view, mood lighting, log fire, handmade chocolates, champagne and wonderfully smelling bath things - I can honestly say i thought I'd died and gone to heaven.
Each treehouse is individual and George and Aldy have taken the time to name each one and carry this theme throughout. The handcrafted queen beds for example, have the theme woven into the fabric and the wood of each, and in the bathroom (with double shower) little bits of nature are incorporated into every imaginable space.
And nothing seemed to be too much trouble for George and Aldy. We were given a breakfast basket on arrival that had enough delicious nibbles for morning and afternoon tea as well and then we ordered a BBQ pack so we could sit on our rainforest balcony, take in the surroundings and have a chance to talk - so refreshing after months of baby babble and mundane conversations.
Although my husband and I usually go and check the area in which we stay, this time we simply stayed at the cabins and indulged in strolls to the lake, extra long baths and probably too much champagne. After all we had been to Montville many a time and we knew what it had to offer. On the other hand, the treehouses were just too incredibly beautiful to leave - even if it was just for a short walk around the craft shops.
The cabins are serviced daily and there is a games room with a full sized billiard table, video and CD library. If you are feeling a little energetic (or want to work off the delectable food) there are conoes, rainforest walkways and fishing equipment on-site.
As a writer I can usually find the words to describe pretty much everything, but with Treetops Cabins on the Lake I am truly struggling to convey its beauty. You really do have to see it to believe it.
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